18 Terrifying Photos of Abandoned Homes in Texas

Just in time for Halloween, a look at some of the most nightmare-inducing homes across the state.

By
Rebecca Salinas

Oct 19, 2015

From the Texas Chainsaw Massacre to the Donkey Lady to La Llorona, there are not many urban legends that Texans haven't heard. But perhaps the real terror lies within the hundreds of small towns that are scattered throughout the Lone Star State.

Social website OnlyInYourState.com listed 12 scary houses in Texas that "could be haunted" earlier this month, and we decided to build on that by introducing other nightmare-inducing abandoned homes across the state.While it is unknown if evil spirits actually haunt these houses, the abandonments are located on or near some pretty creepy properties.

For example, Ranger, a small town in North Texas – which has numerous abandoned homes that are photographed by Flickr users – was once seen as a hub for members of the Ku Klux Klan. On the other hand, a school in Indian Gap that has been abandoned for over 50 years stands near a historic cemetery. No matter the case, these fear-provoking homes are as eerie as they come and the perfect gateway to the upcoming Halloween season.

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1Haunted Mansion in Gonzales

David Ingram/Flickr

This abandoned mansion in Gonzales could be haunted for two reasons. First, just the facade of the house is eerie, yet some people call it "gorgeous." Second, it was built near the first battle of the Texas Revolution on Oct. 2, 1835.

2Indian Gap School

Sandra/Flickr

Abandoned schools – yikes. Abandoned schools on cemetery grounds – double yikes. The Indian Gap School, located about an hour southwest of Stephenville, has been abandoned since 1959, when the school closed down. Built in 1913, it's actually been vacant longer than it was occupied. The building and its surrounding 8.5 acres are now in the hands of the Indian Gap Cemetery Association.

3Wurzbach Haunted House

Mlhradio/Flickr

Around San Antonio, people link the name "Wurzbach" to land development and politics. But in Rio Medina, about seven miles north of Castroville, the name "Wurzbach" is attached to the creepy, decades-old Arnold Wurzbach house. The home belonged to Harry Wurzbach's cousin, Arnold, who was a prominent landowner in South Texas.

4Moscow Haunted House

Patrick Feller/Flickr

The tiny Texas town of Moscow, south of Lufkin, still holds this window-less, about-to-tumble home. Just like its owners abandoned this home, residents of Moscow seemingly abandoned their city as the 20th century progressed. In 2000, the town's population was reported at 170.

5Ranger Abandoned House

Brandi Korte/Flickr

The town of Ranger, Texas, the city where this house sits, is overall, a strange city.

Throughout the years, it was known as a typical oil-boom town, a Ku Klux Klan hub, a home to Texas Rangers and an important town for "peanut culture." Today, the small town still holds the Ranger Junior College and the Roaring Ranger Museum.

6Another Abandoned House in Ranger

Brandi Korte/Flickr

There are actually several abandoned houses in the city, which only has a population of about 2,500. The decline in population can be attributed to the consequences of a failed oil boom, drought and the Ku Klux Klan's establishment...

7Inside a Home in Ranger

Brandi Korte/Flickr

Keeping with the Ranger, Texas theme (because it's probably the creepiest town on the list), photographer Brandi Korte actually had the guts to enter one of the houses.

8Destroyed Furniture

Brandi Korte/Flickr

Korte found busted windows, rusted appliances, much debris ...

9Broken Doll

Brandi Korte/Flickr

... and of course, a decapitated doll.

10Another Abandoned Home in Ranger

Wildstar84/Flickr

Another Ranger, Texas, home caught on camera by Flickr user wildstar84.

11Victorian Mansion in Kosse

Carol Von Canon/Flickr

This Victorian mansion in Kosse looks like it is straight out of a horror story, but in reality, this home has fallen into serious disrepair. The home, located about 45 miles southeast of Waco, "looks very unhappy in its present state," according to photographer Carol Von Canon.

12 Abandoned House in Houston

Luis E. Cerezo, Luis Cerezo/Flickr

This abandoned house in Houston, photographed back in 2007, is actually gone now. Was it a health hazard? Was it haunted? Who knows, but a look at the site on Google Maps shows a flat, open lot where the home once stood.

13 Abandoned Farmhouse in Jonah

Anne Worner/Flickr

This farmhouse in Jonah is creepy and dramatic enough to make the "eerie abandonment" list twice. Here is one view of the home, which is located near Georgetown.

14Jonah Farmhouse

Jack/Flickr

Here is another view of the Jonah home, captured by a separate photographer.

15Abandoned Home in Linscomb

Albert Ray Mock, Albert Mock/Flickr

This home is in an even smaller town: Linscomb, which has a population of about 44, according to the 2000 census. Although Linscomb is the county seat for Linscomb County, the city is the smallest town in the county.

16The Old White House

Jim Howard/Flickr

This old white house sits in Normanna, just north of Beeville. Normanna is an oil and ranching town, and in 2000, consisted of a population of around 120 residents.

17Georgetown Abandoned Farmhouse

Anne Worner/Flick

This photo of an abandoned farmhouse near Georgetown looks like a scene straight from The Ring. Though there are no details about the house, Georgetown itself is pretty old too; it dates back to 1848. Still, the city is thriving with tourist and recreational attractions.

18Mingus Abandoned Home

Brandi Korte/Flickr

Just like other desolate homes on this list, this home belongs in a nearly abandoned city. This home in Mingus, north of Stephenville, has a population of about 240 — a major decline from the city's heyday in in the 1920s and '30s.

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